New Year’s Day is an excellent time to commit to improving your life. If you’ve decided to read more this year, an e-reader is an ideal way to save money along the way. These devices reduce clutter, and they’re cheaper than buying numerous physical books.
To learn more about choosing the right e-reader, we sat down with Jaime Vazquez, BestReviews tech expert.
In this article: 2022 Amazon Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite and 2022 Apple iPad Air.
Screen size is important. The device’s screen and weight are typically linked because larger devices tend to weigh more. If you travel often and plan to read on the go, you may want a compact, lightweight device. On the other hand, if you’ll typically use it at home, you might as well get the largest screen you feel comfortable using.
You can change the font size, so small screens can be just as easy to use as large screens.
"Tablets broadcast light at your eyes, but they also have apps that can do just about anything," Vazquez said. These devices are an excellent choice for those who don't have sensitive eyes and want as much functionality as possible.
E-readers, by contrast, are primarily focused on letting you read and purchase books. "They’ve made strides in text clarity," Vazquez said. They also have additional features, such as the new Amazon Kindle that lets you take notes.
It's important to buy both tablets and e-readers from trusted brands. Some lesser-known brands try to advertise their e-readers as tablets, even though they lack the same level of functionality.
Q. Do you need Wi-Fi to use an e-reader?
A. In most cases, you'll need Wi-Fi to download your books and install updates. Then you can save your books to your device to enjoy them offline.
Q. Do e-readers have free books?
A. You have to pay for most books. Still, there are subscription services that let you borrow books for free and websites where you can download free books. You'll need to be careful when using free-book websites, as many of them let anyone upload books. Check the site to ensure it isn't offering illegal downloads and isn't known for giving people viruses.
Q. Can you read e-books on your phone?
A. Yes, numerous sites and apps let you read e-books on your phone. Still, you'll have to deal with the small screen and harsh light. E-readers, on the other hand, feature large screens and e-ink that's easy on your eyes.
This features a paperlike display that won't hurt your eyes. The battery lasts around six weeks when fully charged. It's compact and light. You can buy a cheaper version with lock-screen ads or pay a little more to avoid ads.
Sold by Amazon
This compact e-reader can be purchased with up to 16 gigabytes of storage space. It can withstand being splashed with water, making it an ideal choice for reading at the beach or in the tub.
Sold by Amazon
It's available with up to 256GB of storage space. The Apple M1 chip ensures fast performance and top-notch multitasking. It comes in five colors.
Sold by Amazon, Target and Best Buy
This tablet features a large 13-inch screen. You can buy it with up to 1 terabyte of storage space. There are thousands of apps available on the Apple App Store, many of them ideal for reading e-books.
Sold by Amazon, Target and Best Buy
This has up to 64GB of built-in storage; you can expand the storage space to 1TB with a microSD card. It's affordable, fast and durable. The battery lasts around 13 hours when fully charged. It comes in black, blue and pink.
Sold by Amazon
It can be purchased with or without lock-screen ads. This tablet features a bright 10-inch display and lasts around 12 hours when fully charged. It's compatible with Alexa voice commands. It comes in black, blue, pink and green.
Sold by Amazon
This compact light clips to the top of your Kindle, letting you read at night and in dark rooms. You can adjust flexible neck to shine the light where you need it most. It comes with batteries and is easy to use.
Walnew Six-Inch Sleeve For All-New Kindle 2022
This stylish case fits various Kindle models, including the Kindle 2022, Kindle 2019, Kindle Paperwhite 10th Gen and Kindle Voyage. It is slim and has an easy-to-use magnetic closure. It comes in gray, khaki, blue and pink.
Sold by Amazon
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
These cloths are an excellent way to keep your e-reader's screen clean. This set includes 24 cloths.
Sold by Amazon
This easy-to-use kit comes with a cloth and a bottle of screen-cleaning solution. Most reviewers were impressed with its versatility and how well it works.
Sold by Amazon
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Cody Stewart writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
